J*f**,..1 ' \

Differences between parenting, family environment, and child behaviour problems in families with children with a commimication delay and families with children without a communication delay were explored. Of the 71 families who took part in this study, 42 were mothers with children who had a communication delay and 29 were mothers with children without a communication delay. The children's average age was 46 months. The group of children with a communication delay was comprised of 30 males and 12 females (71 % male). The group of children without a communication delay was comprised of 14 males and 1 5 females (48 % male). Interviews with mothers and their children were conducted at home, university, or daycare. A child developmental assessment was performed, along with an approximately 45-minute audio-taped interview with the mother. At the end of the interview, mothers were given a booklet of measures and two time diaries to complete within a two-week period. It was predicted that mothers with children with conmiunication delays would be more authoritarian, have fewer resources, less social support and experience more familial conflict than mothers with children without commimication delays. It was also expected that children wit